WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. April 6, 2009: The long-awaited 2009-2010 city budget will be delivered tonight to the Common Council, but to date no one knows whether the city will deliver a cut but budget down from the current $161.7 Million spending level; or whether it will roll-over (to about $167 Million).

With the news reported by WPCNR Friday that the city has gone to binding arbitration with the city’s police and fire unions, the odds are now looking at the budget being higher than $161.7 Million rather than lower, with the other unions, teamsters and CSEA following the settlements dictated on the police and fire contracts. The outgoing (at this time, since the Mayor has decided not to run for reelection), has chosen not to reveal any details on the budget until the council receives the document this evening.

In other action, the council may or may not untable the resolutions to ask the state legislature to reclassify White Plains Real Estate into two classes, commercial and residential for the purpose of separate assessment, and to request an extra 1/4% sales tax to help pay for the expected 3% to 3.75% union contract settlements possibly to come.

The Agenda:

April 6, 2009
7:30 P.M.

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:             Hon. Milagros Lecuona

INVOCATION:                             Rev. Edward Williamson
                                               Bethel Baptist Church

ROLL CALL:                                           City Clerk

EMPLOYEE OF                                Bhavana Pahwa
OF THE MONTH:                           Youth Specialist II
                                                               Youth Bureau

ADJOURNED
PUBLIC HEARING:

1.       Public Hearing in relation to the application submitted on behalf of 1133-300/1133-399 Westchester Avenue LLC, (“Applicant”) owner of property known as 1133/1135 Westchester Avenue (Section 131.20, Block 1, Lot 1.1) containing environmentally sensitive features, for (A) a one (1) year extension of the previously approved amendment to the Special Permit/Site Plan for a four (4) story extended stay hotel granted by the Common Council by resolution adopted November 7, 2007; (B) an amendment to the aforementioned previously approved Special Permit/Site Plan for the construction of a new office building on the same property at 1133/1135 Westchester Avenue; and ( C) an application for a Special Permit for same under Sections 3.5.5 and 6.7.27 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of White Plains to permit the utilization of the permitted building coverage percentage on that portion of the site which is located in the C-O (Campus Office) Zoning District.

2.                 Communication from City Clerk

PUBLIC HEARING:

3.       Public Hearing in relation to the application submitted on behalf of Prophecy for a one (1) year renewal of a Special Permit to operate a cabaret at 15 South Broadway.

4.                 Communication from          City Clerk

5.                                                            Commissioner of Building

6.                                                            Design Review Board

7.                                                            Commissioner of Planning

8.                                                            Planning Board

9.                                                            Commissioner of Public Safety

10.                                                          Commissioner of Public Works

11.                                                          Commissioner of Traffic

12.                                                          Traffic Commission

13.                                                          Commissioner of Parking

14.                                                          Conservation Board

 

15.     Public Hearing in relation to the application submitted on behalf of the MAK Restaurant Corp. for a one (1) year Special Permit to operate a cabaret at Elements located at 161 Mamaroneck Avenue.

16.               Communications from        Commissioner of Building

17.                                                          Design Review Board

18.                                                          Commissioner of Planning

19.                                                          Planning Board

20.                                                          Commissioner of Public Safety

21.                                                          Commissioner of Public Works

22.                                                          Commissioner of Traffic

23.                                                          Traffic Commission

24.                                                          Commissioner of Parking

25.                                                          Environmental Officer

26.               Environmental Findings Resolution

27.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains approving the application submitted on behalf of the MAK Restaurant Corporation for a Special Permit to operate a cabaret known as “Elements Food and Spirits” on the first floor only located at 161 Mamaroneck Avenue (Section 125.84, Block 6, Lot 13.1) subject to certain conditions contained herein.

28.     Public Hearing in relation to the application submitted by Tri-Kelly Inc., d/b/a Kelly’s Pub & Grill and The Thirsty Turtle for a three (3) year renewal of a Special Permit to allow the operation of a Cabaret Use at 199-201 East Post Road.

29.               Communications from        Commissioner of Building

30.                                                          Design Review Board

31.                                                          Commissioner of Planning

32.                                                          Planning Board

33.                                                          Commissioner of Public Safety

34.                                                          Commissioner of Public Works

35.                                                          Commissioner of Traffic

36.                                                          Traffic Commission

37.                                                          Commissioner of Parking

38.                                                          Environmental Officer

39.               Environmental Findings Resolution

40.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains approving the application submitted on behalf of Tri-Kelly, Inc., d/b/a Kelly’s Pub and Grill and the Thirsty Turtle for a three (3) year renewal of a Special Permit to allow the operation of a Cabaret Use at 199-201 East Post Road (Section 125.84, Block 4, Lot 3) subject to certain conditions contained herein.

41.     Public Hearing in relation to an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance with respect to establishing new and increasing existing fees charged for applications made pursuant, inter alia, to Sections 6, 7, 9.5, 10.3.5, 10.3.6 and 10.3.7 of the Zoning Ordinance.

42.               Communications from        Commissioner of Building

43.                                                          Commissioner of Public Works

44.     Public Hearing on the 2009 Section 8 Housing Assistance Program Annual Plan.

45.               Communication from Commissioner of Planning

46.               Resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development an Agency Plan and all required certifications for the Section 8 Housing Assistance Program.

 

FIRST READING
ORDINANCES:

47.     Communication from Special Counsel in relation to certain tax review proceedings.

48.               Ordinance authorizing the settlement of certain tax review proceedings.

 

49.     Communication from Corporation Counsel in relation to an Inter-Municipal Agreement with the County of Westchester for the removal and disposal of organic yard waste.

50.               Communication from Environmental Officer

51.               Environmental Findings Resolution                    

52.               Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Mayor or his designee to enter into an Inter-Municipal Agreement with the County of Westchester for the removal and disposal of organic yard waste.

53.     Communication from Commissioner of Public Works in relation to fees charged for the City’s sidewalk café system.

54.               Ordinance of the City of White Plains amending Sections 7-9-3, 7-9-4 and 7-9-6 of the White Plains Municipal Code in relation to fees and penalties for sidewalk cafes.

55.     Communication from Commissioner of Public Safety in relation to a grant from the Fenway Golf Club Charitable Foundation to be used for equipment and training.

56.               Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept a grant, on behalf of the City of White Plains Department of Public Safety, in equipment and training from the Fenway Golf Club Charitable Foundation.

57.     Communication from Commissioner of Planning in relation to appropriation of fund balance in the Community Development Budget for the Rehabilitation Revolving Fund Program.

58.               Ordinance amending the Communication Development Budget by appropriating fund balance and allocating such increase to the Rehabilitation Revolving Fund Program.

59.     Communication from Commissioner of Parking in relation to an amendment to a previously approved ordinance regarding a contract with Complus Data Innovations, Inc., for parking ticket processing services.

60.               Ordinance amending an ordinance entitled, “Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Complus Data Innovations, Inc., to provide full service parking ticket processing services for a term of five years.”

61.     Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a donation in memory of Ms. Helen Zacconi in support of the Youth Bureau Bits & Pieces Camp.

62.               Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Mayor to accept, on behalf of the City of White Plains Youth Bureau, a donation in memory of Ms. Helen Zacconi.

63.     Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a grant from the White Plains Housing Authority in support of the DeKalb After School Learning Center.

64.               Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept a grant, on behalf of the City of White Plains Youth Bureau, from the White Plains Housing Authority to continue the 86 DeKalb After School Learning Center for the 2008/2009 School Year.

65.     Communication from Chairman, Traffic Commission, in relation to proposed amendments to the Traffic Ordinance at various locations around the City.

66.               Ordinance amending the Traffic Ordinance of the City of White Plains in relation to On Street Parking Meter Zones, No Parking, One Hour Parking, Three Hour Parking – Monday through Friday, No Standing, No Parking 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Monday through Friday, Stop Intersections, Yield Intersections, and Right Turns Prohibited.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

67.     Communication from Acting Budget Director in relation to the scheduling of a public hearing for May 4, 2009 on the 2009 – 2010 Tax Budget of the City of White Plains.

68.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains in relation to setting a public hearing for Fiscal Year 2009 – 2010 Budget.

69.     Communication from the Mayor in relation to requests for the passage of State legislation to establish a White Plains Industrial Development Agency, to support adoption of the classification of real property into two classes for purposes of allocation of taxes in certain cities, and adding an additional one-quarter of one percent Sales and Compensating Use Tax.

70.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the certification of a Home Rule Request seeking enactment of State legislation amending the General Municipal Law to establish the White Plains Industrial Development Agency (Assembly Bill No. A1021).

71.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains supporting the introduction and adoption of State legislation to amend the Real Property Tax Law in relation to authorizing the classification of real property into two classes for purposes of allocation of taxes in certain cities.

72.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains supporting the introduction and adoption of New York State legislation to amend the Tax Law in relation to authorizing the City of White Plains to impose an additional one-quarter of one percent Sales and Compensating Use Tax.

 

73.     Communication from Corporation Counsel in relation to an Inter-Municipal Agreement between the City and Westchester County regarding prisoner transportation reimbursement.

74.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Inter-Municipal Agreement regarding prisoner transportation reimbursement with the County of Westchester.

75.     Communication from Personnel Officer in relation to a proposed increase for civil service examination application fees pursuant to New York State Civil Service Law.

76.               Resolution authorizing the Personnel Department to increase civil service examination application fees pursuant to New York State Civil Service Law.

77.     Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to a request submitted by Goldfarb Properties on behalf of White Plains One Company, LLC, for a site plan amendment for exterior courtyard renovations at The Churchill Apartments, 345 Main Street.

78.               Communications from        Design Review Board

79.                                                          Commissioner of Planning

80.                                                          Planning Board

81.                                                          Commissioner of Public Safety

82.                                                          Commissioner of Public Works

83.                                                          Commissioner of Traffic

84.                                                          Traffic Commission

85.                                                          Environmental Officer

 

86.               Environmental Findings Resolution

87.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains approving the application submitted by Goldfarb Properties on behalf of White Plains One Company LLC, (“Applicant”) for an amendment to its existing site plan for its building known as Churchill Apartments located at 345 Main Street relating to the re-design of the exterior courtyard.

88.     Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to a request submitted on behalf of Cameo House, 300 Martine Avenue, for an amendment to a Special Permit/Site Plan for proposed alterations to the ground floor entrance courtyard.

89.               Communications from        Design Review Board

90.                                                          Commissioner of Planning

91.                                                          Planning Board

92.                                                          Commissioner of Public Safety

93.                                                          Commissioner of Public Works

94.                                                          Commissioner of Traffic

95.                                                          Traffic Commission

96.                                                          Commissioner of Parking

97.                                                          Westchester County Planning Board

98.                                                          Environmental Officer

99.               Environmental Findings Resolution

100.             Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains approving the application submitted on behalf of the Cameo House Owners, Inc., (“Applicant”) for an amendment to its existing site plan for its building located at 300 Martine Avenue relating to the re-design of the outside entry plaza.

101.   Communication from Corporation Counsel in relation to a petition submitted on behalf of of BMS Management Corp., to amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow the parking of commercial vehicles at motor vehicle service stations and/or repair shops in the BR-1 Districts, and advising that the submitted materials are not in a form acceptable to the City.

102.             Communication from Planning Board

103.             Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains rejecting consideration of a petition in its present form submitted on behalf of BMS Management Corp. (“Petitioner”) to amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of White Plains to allow the parking of commercial vehicles at motor vehicle service stations and/or repair shops in the BR-1 Zoning District.

REFERRAL:            

104.   Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to a request submitted on behalf of Hamilton Condominiums, for a one year extension of a previously approved site plan to construct a thirteen story eighty-six unit residential condominium at 116 – 120 Church Street

105.   Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to a request submitted on behalf of CorePlus Properties, LLC, CPP Bloomingdale LLC and ROF Core 120 Bloomindale LLC, for a one year extension of a previously approved site plan to construct The Venue on Bloomingdale Road, a proposed retail development.

106.   Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to a request submitted on behalf of North Street Community, LLC, for an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding Planned Senior Residential Development District to increasing the percentage in Section 5.8.5.2 for assisted living beds and domicillary care facilities from 35% to 45%, and to authorize stacked attendant parking which would reduce the footprint of the proposed garage for the 305 North Street Building.

107.   Communication from the City Clerk transmitting a petition submitted on behalf of Calano & Calano Realty Corp. and Keith J. Ahlers, for an amendment to the White Plains Municipal Code to add a section entitled “Electronic Message Board Ordinance” in relation to a proposal to add an electronic message board on the Main Street side of the building at 14 Mamaroneck Avenue.

 

ITEMS FOR INFORMATION:

108.   Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to a request submitted on behalf of 432 Mamaroneck Co., LLC, in relation to a three year renewal of a Special Permit for an Accessory Parking Lot adjacent to 442 – 452 Mamaroneck Avenue.

109.   Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to a request for a Minor Amendment submitted on behalf of the German School of New York, to install solar panels on the roof of their gymnasium on Partridge Road.

 

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WPCNR ON THE AISLE. By John F. Bailey. Theatrical Review. April 4, 2009:

 

Page 1…Good Evening, Mr. and Mrs. Broadway, Walter Winchell here, (tappity tap tap telegraph ticker):

 

Dateline: FLASH!  Elmsford, New York Funny Girl, the Broadway icon of 1964 based on the showbiz career of legendary but real Fanny Brice, the song, dance, and schmaltz doll  of vaudeville the first half of the twentieth century  is a tear-jerking, inspiring sentimental bottle of seltzer  spraying laughs, tears, and  dreams  across the stage where you’ll meet old family and friends from the past right out of Flatbush .

 

 

FLASH!  It  introduces a  brand-new charmer to follow to the Great White Way –  A local girl who makes good!  Morristown, New Jersey’s own Jill Abramovitz,  Graduate of Morristown High is shown in the comic “Brides” Number, Fanny Brice’s famous debut in the Ziegfeld Follies. Funny Girl has never been revived on Broadway, and there’s a reason for that: it was Streisand’s show. Ms. Abramovitz takes on that challenge at WBT and succeeds spectacularly. Photos, Courtesy, Westchester Broadway Theatre, By John Vecchiola.

 

 

 

From Ms. Abramovitz’s  honest treatment of the signature song People, made lushly poignant by Ms. A’s rich contralto and soul-baring voice – stopped the show to wait for all the “bravos.” In a voice more sincere than Streisand’s, more passionate, (but admittedly not as delicately nuanced as Barbra’s rendition of People), Ms. A. makes People her own.  Her duet with Grant Norman playing her love, Nicky Arnstein on People in Act 1 is enchanting and perfectly matched. In this scene the romantic couple combine on You are Woman, I am Man.

 

 

 

 The revival spins the dreams Broadway is made of creating the vaudeville Ziegfeld Follies era again. It introduces a new Jill to thrill Broadway in the years to come: Jill Abramovitz takes on  the legendary demanding Barbra Streisand creation of Fanny Brice and does it her way, delivering not-quite-Barbra ( but, let’s face it, Mr. and Mrs. Broadway, there is only one Barbra?), but delivers the goods with a voice that rings through the theatre with power, grace, sincerity and knockout bring-the-house down style!

 

This kid’s got the energy, spirit, moxie – can’t-keep-a-trouper down personality that fits Ms. Brice to a nose, and I think Ms. Brice  would have admired. Though Ms. Abramovitz nose is just right.

 

The Streisand admirer accompanying yours truly,  Brenda Starr, (the long-stemmed rose), was pleased, impressed with the way  Ms. Abramovitz stepped into the Streisand spot. Ms. Abramovitz stepped up to the big time. It takes guts to take on an icon role, and the kid delivers a gutsy brash, totally confident performance in this virtuoso demanding role where she’s onstage just about all the time.

 

 

Comic, what’s there not to laugh at here?  Abramovitz evokes the schmaltz and shtick of the Old New Amsterdam Theatre and the Winter Garden when the Follies were playing. Her zany high energy dance routines in the famous Brice Follies debut number, Brides,  where she careens into other bridesmaids, sent spinning out of control by  her family-way stomach into other dancers – a comedy routine the original Brice invented departing Florenz Ziegfeld’s choregraphy – captures the Brice comic touch that Abramovitz  delivers . It takes talent to dance clumsilly  intentionally and make it believable.

 

Page 2!

 

Ms. Abramowitz  as Fanny Brice(front and center) in the number that Ziegfeld sees and gives her her break, performing Cornet Man with Rusty Reynolds playing cornet as Stubb Taylor.

 

When we first meet Fanny, she’s an ugly duckling trying to get a part, and talks Eddie (played with sympathetic pathos by Kilty Reidy) into working with her on the lead part in Coronet Man. When she performs this baby with just right amount of comedic mistakes – she got laughs  from the WBT audience aplenty — and she gets the part thanks to intervention by Nicky Arnstein played by Grant Norman. In the movie Nick  was portrayed by the Egyptian Clark Gable, Omar Sharif.

 

 Norman lacks the dashing male animalism of Sharif that sparked that movie, but that being said, he gamely manages to fill his role as Fanny’s love of life booming out his duets with the redoubtable Ms. Abramovitz. The first scene they meet is pitch-perfectly played by the two – when Fanny takes one look at him…and in a paradody of  Maria (from West Side Story—which debuted six years before) she sings…”Nicky Arnstein….Nicky Arnstein….the most beautiful name…” She is pitch-perfect,  raptly love-at-first-sight, as is he. The pair  cavort well in a Baltimore hotel – teaming with electric intensity on You Are Woman, I am Man.

 

The first Act is capped by Ms. Abramovitz’s raucous Don’t Rain on My Parade as  Fanny leaves the Follies to follow her guy (Arnstein)  to New York.

 

Page 3

 

 

Louisa Flaningam as Fanny’s Mom (in green dress)  who runs a saloon steals the show holding her own from the natural scene-stealer Abramovitz. Flanagan delivers some of the funniest lines of the show.  The great company is holding Ms. Abramowitz aloft (in gold dress) after her first opening night with Ziegfeld.

 

When told she needs to feel young again, Ms. Flanagan says, “I’ve already been through that!” When Fanny leaves her home for Nick, she says. “My job is done.”  Her comic interactions with the poker players of the old Brooklyn neighborhood are funny bridges moving the plot along. You’ll love her lines throughout.

 

Page 4

 

In Act II, Fanny and Nick are settled down, and married life is celebrated by Sadie, Sadie, Married Lady. It is a tribute to Ms. Abramovitz interpretation of this role that her infatuation with Nick appears very real throughout. You feel he genuinely makes her happy. Though Ms. Abramovitz sometimes swallows or delivers a punchline too quickly – you do not have the option of a retake to get it right. With each night the Jill Abramovitz Fanny Brice will be spot-on.

 

As Fanny supports Nick with money from her fabulous show business earnings, and his failures mount she stands by him. But he resents it. His reprise of Don’t Rain on My Parade is a strong counterpoint and he shows he can hold his own vocally at least with Ms. Abramovitz charisma.

 

The ability of Fanny to go on despite repeated heartbreaks from Nick endeare her to the audience – here is the show must go on spirit that makes us love Broadway.  Especially when the hurricane of 1926 wipes out his gambling establishment, and she is preparing for opening night. The knockout number “Rat-a-tat-tat” features Abramovitz-Brice clowning at best as a Jewish private in the American Army in a blood-red, patriotic extravaganza, giving audiences of today a feel for the Follies that used to be.

 

 

From the opening scene with Fanny in her dressing room awaiting her husband to arrive back from prison, when she begins to reminisce – she has you from “Hello,” and when she takes off into I’m the Greatest Star” – you’re gonna like her, I guarantee it. (Talk about stealing lines.)

  

Page 5

 

Lighting by the sungod, Andrew Gmoser is superbly evocative on the “Brides” number, the “Coronet Man” sequence, and the People number. Choreography by  Michael Susko reaches back in time to simulate the stately precision of Ziegfield extravaganza numbers, aided by a worthy investment in costumes by Matthew Hemesath. The orchestra sounded a little light with some opening night clunkers – but overall this is a workmanlike effort driven by a daring lead performance.

 

 

Jeff Tanski’s direction has pulled the cast together in a way that makes  all characters seem to relate and appear interested in each other and caring, a part of the goings-on. It captures the family of showbiz. The set design is not elaborate and the stage is barely large enough to give the epic style of a Ziegfeld show, but the WBT tries. This is easily the largest cast WBT has assembled in quite sometime.

 

 

Page 6

 

Ben Hecht, the playwright , a contemporary of Brice said of  the real Fanny Brice: “Theatre audiences never adored any performer more than Fanny. It would be impossible for an audience to laugh louder, weep more copiously and applaud more violently than Fanny’s audience did.”

 

 

 

Abramovitz captures that side of Ms. Brice – the earthy side of Brice and the appeal of the underdog you can’t keep down. It has always worked for Broadway it works in Elmsford, too, thanks to the way Jill Abramovitz carries this show. The audience loved her, bravo-ing  performances a number of times in the show – rather unique for this audience. I have not heard that before here in almost a decade of reviewing these shows here. You should go on out and see her, and get a great dinner too. You’ll be glad you did. You can say you saw her when.

 

Ms. Abramovitz is moving on up! She stole the show at the White Plains Performing Arts Center last April, as Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, then theCitizeNetReporter praised her: “Abramovitz has some of the best crackup lines in the play and she delivers  them perfectly getting laugh out loud guffaws from the audience.”

 

Funny Girl with its sendups of Brooklyn culture at the turn of the century, its melodrama, and its star –“laughs” and charms  nightly  through June 14 at Westchester Broadway Theatre. For information, go to their website at www.broadwaytheatre.com. The Box Office: 914-592-2268.

 

BEFORE THE ACTS…

 

 

 

 

Allan Gruet, longtime distinguished public relations director for the WBT, presented the 2009 Bob Fitzsimmons Scholarship of $1,000 to Archbishop Stepinac Senior, Thomas DiCarlucci.  Photo by WPCNR.

 

DiCarlucci is a member of the Stepinac stage crew, ever since his freshman year and has served in eight full-length productions. Mr. DiCarlucci will attend Manhattan College this fall, majoring in electrical engineering.  The Fitzsimmons award, named for Stepinac graduate and former p.r. director for the WBT, who died unexpectedly in 1992. The Scholarship was established in his name by WBT.

 

The fundraiser to sustain the scholarship is coming up on April 21 and features John Treacy Egan and Christine Pedi, Joe Venice and His Band, The Lighthouse Protege Choral Ensemble and a special performance by the Stepinac High School Cast of Curtains!.

 

You get a dinner, including tax & gratuity, for just $50 a person, $40 for children, seniors and students, with 35% going directly to the Fitizsimmons Scholarship Fund. Call the Box Office and get your ducats today.

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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. April 3, 2009 UPDATED 5:50 P.M.E.D.T.: City Executive Officer Paul Wood, through spokesperson Susan Garofalo confirmed to WPCNR the city is beginning the process of binding arbitration with the police and fire unions to resolve the matter of the agreed-on wage settlements  rejected by the Common Council December 17, by 5-2. At the time Wood told WPCNR,

“We’re disapointed that what we considered a good contract for the City was rejected. I’ll have to speak to the union and see if we go back to the negotiating table or to mediation. “

Wood, through the spokesperson today, (Ms. Garofalo),  said the city had been in arbitration with the unions ever since the council rejected the 3.75%, 4% and 4% three year contracts with the two unions. Ms. Garofalo, asked if the council knew the city had gone ahead to the binding arbitration procedure, said that Mr. Wood said the council did know of the decision to go to binding arbitration. 

 One member of the Common Council, Rita Malmud told WPCNR, she was unaware the wage disagreement was going to arbitration, until WPCNR called her today. Glen Hockley, the councilperson, told WPCNR when asked if he knew about the decision, said “I believe so.” Asked how he knew, Hockley said, “I heard it on the street. I haven’t gotten anything in writing about it.”

Joseph Carrier, President of the White Plains Fire Fighters Local 274, speaking to WPCNR said the  firefighters’ union  had agreed with the city to enter into “interest binding arbitration, and we are still in the process of picking a panel. Carrier said a panel of three persons, one representing the union, another the city, and a third, the arbitrator will hear presentations by representative of the union.

Carrier said the police and the fire unions will participate in separate arbitration panels with the police union stating their case to a panel of police rep, city rep and an arbitrator, and the fire fighters union rep presenting to a panel of a firefighter representative, city representative and an arbitrator.

Ms. Garofalo told WPCNR that the city has “just selected” an independent aribtrator, (not from a state agency), but did not name the person. Carrier said the aribtrator for his fire fighter arbitration panel has not been presented to the union as of yet.

Carrier said the issues involve “wages and certain other items,” but stated “we’re willing…happy to settle for what we negotiated last fall with the Mayor, 3.75 and 4 (for the next two years) which is in line with comparables.”

Councilperson Rita Malmud contacted by WPCNR to see if the council had agreed privately to binding arbitration said WPCNR’s call “was the first time I’ve heard of it. I have no details. I don’t know anything about this. I’ve been given no information.”

Councilman Benjamin Boykin, President of the Common Council, was left a message, asking the same question. Boykin this week said he could not comment on budget adjustments until he had seen the city budget Monday. He told WPCNR he would be sharing budget concerns once he received the budget Monday evening.

Boykin said he would discuss council budget deliberations with candidates for Mayor from both parties as well as their ideas. 

Melissa Lopez of the Mayor’s office said Mayor Joseph Delfino, now officially a lame duck Mayor, said he would seek ideas and input from those running to succeed him from either party.

The two year committment based on any arbitrator decision essentially would lock the city into rolling over the present budget ($161.7 Million) to pay for a 3.75% increase in 2009-10 and roll over again in 2010-11 to cover such settlements. The wage increases would also set a pattern for the teamsters and the CSEA unions as well assuring possible automatic increases of the budget in a time of revenue shortfalls amounting to an estimated $9 Million this year, as estimated by the City Financial Officer, Gina Cuneo-Harwood.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. April 2, 2009: Jonathan Burman, spokesperson for the New York State Education Department announced exclusively to WPNCR Wednesday  the SED would furnish online School District Report Cards reflecting results of state achievement tests taken in 2007-2008 and, in a first for the SED, the results of the English and Math tests for the current  school year 2008-2009. Previously these were announced in mid-autumn.

 

Burman said the more timely issuance of the reports was the result of a decision by the Board of Regents to streamline the District Report system, previously running two years behind, which gave a mandate to the NYSED to seed up reporting the results.

 

 Previously the only School District Report Cards available for the White Plains Schools reflected results through the 2005-2006 school year.  The 2006-2007 year was just recently posted this week on the SED website. Burman says within the next two months the 2007-2008 year  Report Cards will be “up” as will the 08-09 test scores.

 

This will allow interested parties to view achievement test scores for the previous year  and the current school year to discover the effectiveness of curriculum adjustments. Something that was always told the public but not based on numbers available to the public.

 

  The White Plains City School District has frequently noted that they have adjusted curriculum to state mandates and have already addressed areas of weakness reflected by the only school report cards available– previously as we noted two years behind.

 

 With the new timely reporting of results announced by Mr. Burman, the effectiveness of  year-in-progress efforts will be more transparent, depending on what 2008-2009 data are released in the coming weeks.

 

The newly released (this week) White Plains Schools District Report Card may be viewed at

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/District.do?year=2007&county=WESTCHESTER&district=662200010000

 

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/District.do?year=2007&county=WESTCHESTER&district=662200010000

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. April 2, 2009 UPDATED  BATMAN ISSUES STATEMENT, 2:30 P.M. E.D.T.: Lack of money is forcing serious reevaluation of the White Plains Performing Arts Center “mission,” and programming for next year, according to John Ioris, Chair of the White Plains Performing Arts Center, Inc., the non-profit group that manages the theatre for the City of White Plains. It is also causing doubt whether Jack Batman, its Executive Producer whose contract expired this week will continue as Executive Director, Ioris disclosed today. Mr. Batman confirms he and Mr. Ioris will be having discussions about the theatre’s and his future.

 

 In a follow-up statement to WPCNR  at  12:30 PM, Mr. Ioris said that Jack W. Batman has completed his  current contract (running through March, expiring March 31), but his return as Executive Director is “uncertain.” Ioris said “a lot of things have to align in the next 48 hours for that to happen (Batman’s return to WPPAC).” Ioris said, “we have to fund our obligations.”  Ioris told WPCNR the current staff of the WPPAC is “still in place.”

 

In a statement issued to WPCNR early Thursday afternoon at about 2 PM,  in response to WPCNR’S question early Thursday morning,  “I take this to mean you are no longer associated with WPPAC, correct?”

 

Mr. Batman advised WPCNR:

 

I understand you spoke with our Chairman, John Ioris, this morning.  As he told you, our Executive Committee will be meeting this evening and John and I will be having discussions through the weekend. By Monday we should be able to give you some indication of our future plans.

 

Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you at all our future shows.

 

Jack Batman, addressing the Common Council for an additional $150,000 in funding for WPPAC in April of 2008.

John Ioris, seated at head of table, with Mr. Batman at his right  when the team addressed Common Council requesting additional money for theatre operations in the current season.

 

Ioris said the Executive Committee of WPPAC, Inc., will meet tonight to evaluate the non-profit’s financial future. He said the organization “did not want to dial back the quality” of its productions, but may consider not producing as many productions. 

 

 

The last show of the current season, Hello, Dolly! to be directed by Jack Batman, the current Executive Producer of the theatre show may have to be “scaled back,” according to Ioris, or possibly substitute a show, but that decision has not been made yet, Ioris said, and show is still scheduled as of today.

 

Asked Wednesday about Mr. Batman’s continuing with the theatre for next season, considering that Mr. Batman is on one-year contracts,  (and his contract has, according to Mr. Ioris expired two days ago), Ioris said that matter was a personnel decision.

 

Thursday morning, Mr. Ioris told WPCNR  “Jack is still with us. I will be meeting with him in the next couple of days (on the program). We have to make some changes in this business.” Ioris said he and Batman would have to look at money available and decide what scale of season they could mount next fall, since season tickets traditionally go on sale in June-July for the coming season.

 

Ioris disclosed the Executive Committee would be meeting this evening to discuss these issues of programming and funding next season’s operation.

 

Ioris told WPCNR Wednesday afternoon that a fundraising gala, One Enchanted Evening is tentatively scheduled for the WPPAC on June 1 with a reception at 6 o’clock and key Broadway performers similar to galas past. A private reception for top donors was tentatively set for the Restaurant 42 afterwards. Pricing has not been set set but Ioris said he was thinking $125 to $250 a ticket. Wednesday, Ioris told WPCNR funding was critical, that philanthropy was down.

 

Ioris noted that the city refused to infuse more money into the theatre last year ($150,000 was requested last April from the Common Council). He said the theatre has an Operations Staff and Production Staff and depending on the scale of season changes may have to come.

 

Mr. Batman, in an e-mail to WPCNR said he would have a statement sometime today.

 

The White Plains Performing Arts Center, Incorporated, currently is in its sixth year of a 10-year contract with the City of White Plains to program the theatre. The theatre has a budget of approximately $1.2 Million.

 

WPPAC’S OLIVER this past fall.